Open house celebrates new year at St. Greg's

It was a hot, clear evening, and the food on the cafeteria tables — hot dogs and potato chips — was definitely summer fare.

But there was an unmistakable hint of fall in the atmosphere Thursday as parents, teachers and students gathered for the traditional open house held just prior to the beginning of a new year at St. Gregory's School.

Classes at St. Greg's, a parochial K-8 school operated by the St. Gregory Barbarigo Roman Catholic Parish, begin Tuesday. Principal Susan Martin said the open house offers a chance for youngsters and their families to meet teachers, check out classrooms and organize school supplies prior to the first bell of the 2012-'13 school year.

One hundred and seventy-one children are signed up to attend St. Gregory's this fall, Martin said, and though returning students will encounter many familiar sights, sounds and faces in classrooms and corridors, some surprises await.

According to Martin, these include a new K-6 reading series with a number of online components that will let children log-in from home in order to access materials and work on assignments.

Also new is Spellodrome, a computer-based spelling environment that provides youngsters with interactive word games and other exercises. Many of the games can be played online by several children at once, including those living in other countries.

Despite the new technology, however, St. Greg's is still a place where tradition is valued and family ties run strong and deep. One parent at the open house said he was beginning his 25th year with a child enrolled at the school.